Patents Examined by Keith J Frisby
  • Patent number: 10625550
    Abstract: A control arm and a method of manufacturing thereof is disclosed. The control arm is made of an aluminum extrusion profile with a first end section, a second end section, and a middle section, which connects the first and second end sections. The control arm includes a base, two side walls, which are angled substantially perpendicular therefrom and which are spaced apart from one another on the longitudinal side, with a height H, and flanges, which are angled substantially perpendicular from the side walls at their free end. The first end section includes a first connecting region, the second end section includes a second connecting region, and the middle section includes at least one third connecting region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GmbH
    Inventors: Frode Paulsen, Dirk Voigt, Guido Boeing, Stephan Meyer
  • Patent number: 10625796
    Abstract: An auto-leveling drive axle device for a wheel tractor, and leveling method. The device comprises a transmission device and a leveling device. The device of the present invention changes only a vertical position of a drive axle with respect to a wheel, and a wheel shaft distance and wheel center spacing are not changed, thus improving traveling stability of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: JIANGSU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jiangyi Han, Gaogao Shang, Changgao Xia, Xiang Gao, Jing Liu
  • Patent number: 10598268
    Abstract: A support structure of a vehicle drive system unit includes a unit case having a plurality of case members provided with abutting portions at axial opening ends, the abutting portions axially abutted against and bolt-fastened to each other to integrally couple the plurality of case members, one of the plurality of case members as a fixing case member being fixed via a supporting member to a body-side supporting portion. In the support structure, a reinforcing stiffener is disposed on the outside of the unit case so as to couple at least one of the abutting portion of the fixing case member and the abutting portion of another case member abutted against and bolt-fastened to the abutting portion of the fixing case member, and the supporting member or the body-side supporting portion to which the supporting member is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noritaka Nakajima, Hiroshi Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 10598292
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic pump. A first hydraulic shock is coupled to a first port of the hydraulic pump. A second hydraulic shock is coupled to a second port of the hydraulic pump. A first hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the first port of the hydraulic pump. A second hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the second port of the hydraulic pump. A first valve is coupled between the first hydraulic cylinder and second hydraulic cylinder. The first valve can be actuated by a computer system or can be a ball and spring check valve. A second valve is coupled between the first hydraulic cylinder and second hydraulic cylinder. A flow direction of the second valve is opposite a flow direction of the first valve. A first piston is disposed in the first hydraulic cylinder, and a second piston is disposed in the second hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas W. Melcher
  • Patent number: 10597066
    Abstract: An energy absorption element for a steering column of a motor vehicle may comprise a deformation element, a first fastening element, and a second fastening element. The deformation element may be connected to the first fastening element and to the second fastening element and is arranged in a force flux with respect to a force that can be exerted on the first fastening element relative to the second fastening element. To achieve improved security against damage due to unauthorized use or inadvertent damage and, in the process, requiring little outlay on manufacturing and installation, a predetermined breaking element may be connected to the first and second fastening elements parallel to the deformation element in the force flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Hannes Kurz, Werner Adelmann, Matthias Nicolussi
  • Patent number: 10589624
    Abstract: The invention relates to power take-off devices for internal combustion engines and can be used, in particular, in different vehicles for taking power from reciprocating internal combustion engines. The present power take-off device for an internal combustion engine comprises at least two pairs of transfer mechanisms, coupled to the pistons of an engine, wherein a transfer mechanism is adapted to convert the reciprocating motion of its corresponding piston into rotary motion of a corresponding power take-off shaft. Each transfer mechanism comprises a means of setting rotation, which is mounted on a shaft connected to the piston, said means comprising a transfer component with at least one continuous, wave-like, vertically guiding track in the form of a guiding contact path, and a running wheel which moves along the contact path and has a fixed vertical position. The device provides an increase in engine efficiency of up to 50% and reduces the number of revolutions for similar levels of power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: Pavel Valerievich Shaplyko
  • Patent number: 10576821
    Abstract: A drive mechanism comprises a flywheel, a flywheel damper removably connected to the flywheel, a pump drive, and an intermediate shaft. The pump drive comprises a housing, an input shaft mounted to the housing for rotation relative thereto about an axis of rotation, and a seal surrounding the input shaft to establish a sealed connection therewith. The intermediate shaft is co-axial with the input shaft relative to the axis of rotation and removably connected to the flywheel damper and the input shaft. The seal is replaceable. An associated method for replacing the seal is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Cecil H. Wise, Jr., Dwayne B. Watt, Randall L. Long, Danny G. Voth
  • Patent number: 10556562
    Abstract: An occupant protection device for a vehicle includes a seat, a three-point seatbelt device, and a belt airbag device. An occupant to board the vehicle is to sit on the seat. The three-point seatbelt device includes a seatbelt extendable across a front of an upper body of the occupant sitting on the seat. The belt airbag device includes a belt airbag that is provided at a shoulder belt section, which is extendable from a shoulder to a waist of the occupant, of the seatbelt, and that is configured to be deployed when a collision occurs. The belt airbag includes a belt-direction deployment section extendable and deployable along the shoulder belt section, and an intersecting-direction deployment section extendable and deployable in a direction intersecting the shoulder belt section. The sections are configured to form a single bag by being coupled to each other below a head of the occupant sitting on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takao Kondo, Isamu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 10556623
    Abstract: Cross-member for a motor-vehicle front suspension, comprising a first structure of metal, a second structure of composite material joined to the first structure and a plurality of mounting members connected to each other by the first structure to allow mounting of one or more components of the front suspension onto the cross-member, wherein the second structure comprises a base body wholly made of a composite material with a polymer matrix and at least one reinforcement element securely connected to the base body in predetermined areas thereof to contribute to the mechanical strength and stiffness of the whole cross-member whereby the second structure includes a main portion extending in a transverse direction, a pair of longitudinal appendages projecting rearwards from the opposite ends of the main portion, and a pair of struts extending upwards each from a respective longitudinal appendage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Sistemi Sospensioni S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Goia, Andrea Santini
  • Patent number: 10550927
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle may include a vehicle floor that defines a transmission tunnel and a crossmember. The crossmember may include a pair of longitudinal beams disposed along and sandwiching sled runners to the floor. Crossbeams may extend from and span between the pair to define an inner periphery that extends below and surrounds an outer periphery of an oil pan. One or more of the crossbeams may cap a tunnel that is defined by the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James William Dunham, Kyle Mattinson
  • Patent number: 10549597
    Abstract: A twist axle assembly (20) of a vehicle includes a pair of trailing arms (22) and a twist beam (24) having a base portion (46) extending along an axis (A) between first and second twist beam ends (42, 44). The twist beam (24) includes a pair of side walls (48) extending downwardly from the base portion (46) and each disposed in spaced relationship with the trailing arms (22). At least one mounting bracket (54) extends from a first mounting bracket end (56) disposed in abutting relationship with a respective trailing arm (22) to a second mounting bracket end (58) disposed in overlaying relationship the side walls (48) of the twist beam (24) for allowing the mounting bracket to axially slip or slide along the side walls (48) of the twist beam (24) and provide for lateral or axial adjustment of the twist axle assembly (20) during the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Richard Langworthy, Sten Ermond Burris
  • Patent number: 10543726
    Abstract: A lower control arm includes a body including a body portion and an arm elongated from the body portion, and a sleeve having a tubular shape. The arm includes an end spaced from the body portion, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. The sleeve is fixed to the end. The sleeve includes a slit extending lengthwise that is disposed closer to one of the top surface and the bottom surface than to a middle of the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marwan El-Bkaily, Michael Chang, Tushar Kamble, Peter J. Jargowsky, David Lee
  • Patent number: 10543796
    Abstract: Provided is a protection device for a vehicle electrical component capable of preventing damage to a predetermined electrical component due to hitting by a battery, and also capable of reducing noise/vibration. The disclosure is a protection device which protects a starter in a vehicle in which a battery and the starter are disposed to face each other with a space therebetween in an engine room of the vehicle in which components constituting a power plant or a power train are supported by a vehicle body via a mount and a bracket. The skid block serving as the protection device includes bracket attachment portions attached to a transmission attachment portion of the bracket, and a skid block main body extending upward from the bracket attachment portions and gradually away from the bracket extension portion, and having a distal end portion positioned between the battery and the starter and facing the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Isafushi, Yoshikazu Mukaiyama
  • Patent number: 10532787
    Abstract: A compact mobility device has an adjustable drive mode. The device includes a base panel and a number of drive wheels rotatably provided at opposite ends of the base panel. The drive wheels are configured to rotate by receiving torque from a driving unit. A column is constituted by a plurality of links connected in series to be foldable and is configured such that a lower end of a lower link is rotatably coupled to the base panel with an upper end of an upper link being provided with a steering handle. An auxiliary wheel is provided between the links constituting the column and is configured to roll along with the drive wheels by coming into contact with a ground when the links are folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 10526033
    Abstract: The vehicle includes: a vehicle body rotatable about a roll axis; one or more front wheels; a front wheel support supporting the one or more front wheels turnably to a turning direction about a turning axis; one or more rear wheels; an operation input unit to be operated to input a turning direction; a lean angle changing unit for changing a lean angle of the vehicle body in a vehicle width direction about a lean axis different from the roll axis; and a lean control unit for controlling the lean angle changing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: EQUOS RESEARCH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Munehisa Horiguchi, Akira Mizuno
  • Patent number: 10518805
    Abstract: A knuckle apparatus for a vehicle suspension system, may include a bearing device having an assembly end portion protruding and extending from a center thereof; and a knuckle device having a plurality of brackets connected to a suspension system component, the brackets being coupled through the assembly end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Min Lim, Jae Kil Lee, Kyu Wan Lee, Patrick Alain Hasselt
  • Patent number: 10512572
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension comprises a frame, at least one pivot arm, at least one front caster, at least one rear caster, a stabilizing system, and a sensor. The pivot arm is coupled to the frame. The front caster is coupled to the pivot arm. The rear caster is coupled to the frame. The stabilizing system is coupled to the frame and the pivot arm. The sensor is arranged such that tipping of the frame causes actuation of the stabilizing system to at least partially resist further movement of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: INVACARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null, Robert L. Cuson
  • Patent number: 10513240
    Abstract: It is provided a chain link for a link chain which is flexible per se and in which chain links connected to each other are movable in relation to each other and can be locked to each other such that the link chain which is flexible per se can be stiffened by locking the chain links to each other. The chain link has at least a first connection segment for the connection to a first chain link and a further second connection segment for the connection to a second chain link. The chain link has a carrier having the first connection segment and has an adjustment part having the second connection segment, said adjustment part being supported in an adjustable manner relative to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, COBURG
    Inventors: Mario Stegerer, Fabian Lang, Michael Hoeppel
  • Patent number: 10501040
    Abstract: An occupant protection device for a vehicle includes: a three-point seatbelt device having a seatbelt extendable across a front of an upper body of an occupant sitting on a seat; and a belt airbag device including a belt airbag that is provided at a shoulder belt section, which is extendable from a shoulder to a waist of the occupant, of the seatbelt the belt airbag being configured to be deployed when a collision occurs. The belt airbag includes a belt-direction deployment section extendable and deployable along the shoulder belt section, and an intersecting-direction deployment section extendable and deployable in a direction intersecting the shoulder belt section. The belt-direction deployment section and the intersecting-direction deployment section are configured to form a single bag by being coupled to each other below a head of the occupant sitting on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takao Kondo, Isamu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 10501045
    Abstract: An airbag includes a main inflatable section which includes a front-collision arresting face at the rear plane as deployed, a protruding inflatable section which includes an oblique-collision arresting face, and an arresting recess formed between the front-collision arresting face and oblique-collision arresting face. An outer tether is disposed on the outside of the airbag for preventing the protruding inflatable section from moving away from the main inflatable section at airbag deployment. The outer tether includes a side edge disposed towards the protruding inflatable section and a front edge disposed towards the main inflatable section. The side edge is jointed to an upper edge of the oblique-collision arresting face by a side joint which is formed over a generally entire area in a front and rear direction of the protruding inflatable section. The front edge is jointed to an upper edge of the front-collision arresting face by a front joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ikuo Yamada